Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcerative colitis are painful conditions that affect the intestines and can be irritated by the foods we eat. Some types of foods are poorly digested and absorbed by the body if your intestines are not working correctly. Treatments for these conditions include medications, lifestyle adjustments, and evaluating your diet. Here are a few symptoms that may indicate that you have IBS and ulcerative colitis:

• Abdominal pain and cramping.
• Alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation.
• Gas and bloating.
• Intolerance of certain foods.
• Mucus in stool.
• Intermittent pain in the abdomen.
• Recurring diarrhea, constipation, and/or blood in your stool.
• Feeling of the urgent need to have a bowel movement, but do not have one.
• Fatigue.

Certain foods can help IBS, but everyone is different. Take note of how your body reacts to certain foods. Foods for an IBS diet would involve the following:

1. High-fiber

If you are having problems with constipation, then try eating foods high in fiber. This will add more bulk to your stool and aid in movement. High-fiber foods include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

2. Low-fiber

If you are bothered with bloating and diarrhea, then you need to have a low-fiber diet. These are foods such as apples, berries, carrots, and oatmeal. Foods low in fiber are water soluble and should be less irritating to your bowels.

3. Gluten-free

It has been found that in some people, gluten intolerance is causing their IBS problem. Gluten is a protein found in grain products. Try eliminating barley, rye, and wheat from your diet and see if your IBS improves.

4. Low-fat

Constantly eating foods high in fat worsens symptoms of IBS sufferers. Focusing on eating foods low in fat, such as lean meats, fruits, vegetables, grains, and low-fat dairy products can increase your comfort level.

5. Water

In addition to the above listed food types, the National Institutes of Health suggest drinking plenty of water and decrease your intake of caffeine.

Foods for the ulcerative colitis diet include:

1. Instant oatmeal

Unflavored instant oatmeal is slightly easier to digest than other forms of grains and oats.

2. Eggs

Eggs are typically easy to digest and contain a number of nutrients.

3. Avocados

Avocados are rich in nutrients.

4. Yogurts that contain probiotics

Routine intake of probiotics have been shown to be helpful in reducing flare ups and symptoms.

5. Foods high in omega-3

Since inflammation is a dominant part of ulcerative colitis, foods high in omega-3, like salmon, are beneficial to reduce inflammation.

6. Foods you may have to avoid

For an effective ulcerative colitis diet, avoid alcohol, caffeine, high-fiber, nuts and popcorn, carbonated drinks, fatty meats, and spicy foods.

7. Low FODMAP diet

FODMAP foods are foods that add to the volume of liquids and gas in the intestines. This increase in liquids and gas contributes to the abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and the rotating of diarrhea and constipation experienced with sufferers of IBS and ulcerative colitis. The difficult part in choosing low and high FODMAP foods is that both are contained in the various categories of foods. But in general, for a low FODMAP diet, control your intake of legumes, high-gluten foods, foods containing lactose, high-fructose fruits and sweeteners, and alcohol. A little bit of research will give you a complete list. The foods that contribute to the symptoms that you experience from IBS and ulcerative colitis may differ from others. Try reducing some foods and add others to determine which combinations are helpful to you personally.